Demographics: Media begins push for more immigration to the U.S.
The labor shortage is a long-term trend due to low fertility rates. Eeconomists think the solution is “more immigration”, even though this shortage will soon be global – there won’t…
Demographics: “Slower growth in the working-age population”
“These excess retirements might now account for more than 2 million of the 31/2 million shortfall in the labor force.” He said a second factor contributing to the labor supply…
Public health: Everyone has now had Covid or will shortly, regardless of “caution”
Essentially, everyone in the country is at risk for infection now, even if they’re super careful, up to date on vaccines or have caught it before, said Paula Cannon, a…
EVs: A contrary perspective
Many challenging issues for EVs to replace today’s ICE vehicles. I think many of these challenges can and will be overcome – but it is fair to say we are…
Transportation: Oregon plans per mile vehicle usage fee, and to track all vehicles
Except I can and do turn off my cell phone: Another concern of Oregonians, according to Rep. Lively, is privacy. Many people worry about the state having the ability to…
Demographics: The World’s Happiest Country nonsense
As explained in excruciating detail here, the World’s Happiest Country metric does not measure anyone’s happiness. Instead, it collects some metrics, weights them, drops them into the Stat-o-Meter, and pops…
Automation: Most restaurants investing in automation
Restaurant chains experimented with automation this year as the labor crunch pressured their profits. Source: Restaurant chains are investing in robots, bringing change for workers The labor shortage is a…
Demographics: Education loan forgiveness, college tuition inflation
Demographics, fewer young people, demand for labor and higher salaries may result in fewer young people compelled to take out large loans and attend college. But the experts think college…
Followup: Economic forecasts were wrong, like most expert forecasts
As inflation surged over the last two years, the Fed and leading private-sector forecasters were persistently behind the curve, seeing it as a temporary phenomenon that would eventually fade. Source:…